Motor for docking boat



y 7, 1966 H. H. HONEGGER 3,251,330

MOTOR FOR DOCKING BOAT Filed Nov. 14, 1963 INVENTOR.

HERBERT H. HONEGGER A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,251,330 MOTOR FOR DOCKING BOAT Herbert H. Honegger, 1353 13th St., Imperial Beach, Calif. Filed Nov. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 323,681 7 Claims. (Cl. 114-147) The present invention relates to a device for guiding a vessel, such as a ship or boat, to the place where it is to be stationed, and more particular to a device for moving the vessel portwise or starboardwise either while the main propulsion unit for the vessel is in action or inactive.

The invention contemplates an auxiliary propulsion element which is carried by a retractable, elevating mechanism, whereby the propulsion element can be retainedabove the level of the water when not in use and can be lowered into the water when it is desirable to move the vessel portwise or starboardwise during docking or launching thereof. The propulsion element herein illustrated is a propeller which is driven by an electric motor, and preferably the motor is of the reversible type whereby the vessel can be shifted portwise or starboardwise.

In the embodiment illustrated, the retractable, elevating mechanism for supporting the propulsion element comprises a series of links which are pivotally connected with one another. One end of the mechanism is secured to the vessel. A rope or cable, herein generically referred to as a cable is connected to the propulsion element and is used for raising the element and collapsing and retracting the mechanism.

Each link includes a horizontally extending portion and the cable is laced through the links and about the horizontally" extending portions that when'the cable is raised, the links are folded upon one another.

An electric cable for the motor is fastened to the links and is retracted with the links when the latter are folded upon one another.

Other features and the. advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of the bow end of the vessel showing the improved device attached thereto and in operative position;

FIG. 2 is a front view looking in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view looking in the direction of arrow 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but shows the collapsible and retractable mechanism and the propulsion element in their elevated position.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the bow end of a floating vessel is shown at 20. A horizontally extending A-frame 22 is suitably attached to the deck 24 of the vessel. The frame extends forwardly of the bow of the vessel. Levers 26 and 23 are pivotally connected by pivot pins 30 to the legs 32 and 34, respectively, of the A-frame and rearwardly of the front of the how 20.

The propulsion element 36 is in the form of a propeller or propellers. The element 36 may be driven by two motors, one of which drives a propeller to effect portwise movement of the vessel and the other drives a propeller to effect a starboardwise movement of the vessel.

In the preferred embodiment, the propeller or propellers operate cooperatively, the driving element therefor being an electric motor of the reversible type. This motor is shown at 38 and may rotate either a single propeller or two propellers. These propellers are shown at 40.

The mechanism for raising and lowering the propulsion element 36, in addition to the levers 26 and 28 comprises a series of links 42, a cable 44, and a Windlass 46. Each 3,251,330 I Patented May 17, 1966 of these links includes a horizontally extending portion 48, by which they are pivotally connected with one another. The free ends 56 of the levers 26 and 28 are pivotally connected with horizontally extending portion 48 of the uppermost link42. The lower ends of the lowermost link is pivotally connected to the motor 38. The cable is laced (progressively rearwardly and forwardly) about the portions or rungs 48 of the links 42. The upper end of the cable 44 is connected to the Windlass 46 and the lower end is attached to the motor 38-.

As the cable is retracted, by actuating the Windlass through the crank 52, the propulsion device is raised from the positionshown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIG, 4. Due to the lacing of the cable about the rungs 48, the links are caused to be properly folded one above the other, as shown in FIG. 4. The elevating mechanism can be held in elevated position in any suitable manner, as for example by the usual pawl and ratchet (not shown) of a Windlass. A spring clip 54 which receives and retains the free end of levers 26 and 28 in elevated position, assists in retaining the mechanism in elevated position.

If two electric motors are employed, each would be provided with a separate cable. The element 36 may include two electric motors which are connected with separate cables 56 and 58. The cable or cables are suitably attached, as at 60, to a lever or levers and to each ofthe links, whereby, when the elevating mechanism is retracted, the cables are properly folded along the levers and links.

By virtue of the present invention, the vessel can be guided readily portwise or starboardwise. These movements can be effected either while the main propulsion unit for the vessel is active or inactive. It will be understood that suitable control mechanism is provided for causing the propulsion element to effect portwise or starboardwise movement of the vessel. In the embodiment illustrated, suitable standard type of switching mechanism (not shown) can be provided for effecting the direction of rotation of the motor or motors and therefore the direction of rotation of a propeller or propellers.

It is also to be understood that, due to the construction of the particular linkage, the elevating mechanism is laterally substantially stable whereby the turning effect of the propeller has little or no twisting effect on the elevating mechanism. If mechanism which is less stable to the torque of the propeller is used, torque fins can be applied. Such fins are shown at 62. If desirable, the A-frame 22 can be permanently or removably attached to the vessel. Also it is to be understood that a similar steering or guiding device may be employed at the stern as well as the bow of the vessel.

From the foregoing it is apparent that by virtue of the present invention, there has been provided a relatively inexpensive, simple, compact, foldable, portable steering or guiding mechanism for effecting portwise or starboardwise movement during the launching or docking of a vessel.

Also, the control (not shown) for the propulsion element can be installed remotely of the bow or stern of the vessel, as for example adjacent the steering wheel where by precision guiding can be effected although the party steering the vessel is remote from the auxiliary propulsion element 36.

While the form of embodiment herein shown and described, constitutes preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms may be adopted falling within the scope of the claims that follow.

I claim:

1. A combination including:

(A) A vessel'such as a ship or boat;

(B) a propulsion element;

(C) means for rendering the propulsion element operative;

3 4 (D) a retractable mechanism having one end carrying a (F) an electric cable fastened to the links and conthe propulsion element, and the other end fastened nected with the electric motor. to the floating vessel h b h element can b 5. A combination as defined in claim 1, characterized l d i h Water when h mhchanism is in that the retractable mechanism comprises also:

(D) (2) a lever pivotally connected to the vessel, the free end of the lever extending outwardly from the vessel and connected with the uppermost link.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, characterized tended, and whereby the element can be retracted to 5 above the surface of the water, said mechanism'cornprising:

(1) a i f of links plvotany connected Wlth one in that said links are provided with horizontally extending anot portions and that the cable is laced about said portions.

(E) and for retractmg and collilhsmg 531d 10 7. A combination as defined in claim 2, characterized mechamsm sald named means in that the retractable mechanism comprises also:

( a cable havlng one end extendmg mm the (D) (2) a lever pivotally connected to the vessel, the S61 and the other Connected with The element free end of the lever extending outwardly from the 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, characterized 1 vessgl and connected with the uppermost link, in that the propulsion element is a propeller and the 0 means for renderng the element operative is an electric References Cited y the Examiner motor, and that the motor is fastened to the lowermost UNITED STATES PATENTS link.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, characterized gg gg gfi u in that said links are provided with horizontally extend- 2:319:745 5/1943 Napoli X ing portions and that the cable is laced about said por- 2 359 2 10 944 P tk ff 114 147 tions.

4. A combination as defined in claim 2, characterized MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner. mcludm 25 ANDREW H. FARRELL, Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION INCLUDING: (A) A VESSEL SUCH AS A SHIP OR BOAT; (B) A PROPULSION ELEMENT; (C) MEANS FOR RENDERING THE PROPULSION ELEMENT OPERATIVE; (D) A RETRACTABLE MECHANISM HAVING ONE END CARRYING THE PROPULSION ELEMENT, AND THE OTHER END FASTENED TO THE FLOATING VESSEL WHEREBY THE ELEMENT CAN BE LOWERED INTO THE WATER WHEN THE MECHANISM IS EXTENDED, AND WHEREBY THE ELEMENT CAN BE RETRACTED TO ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE WATER SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING: (1) A SERIES OF LINKS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH ONE ANOTHER; (E) AND MEANS FOR RETRACTING AND COLLAPSING SAID MECHANISM, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS COMPRISING: (1) A CABLE HAVING ONE END EXTENDING INTO THE VESSEL AND THE OTHER END CONNECTED WITH THE ELEMENT. 